Throwback Thursday: Spring 2020 K-Dramas
Last spring, life felt like it came to a full-stop for many, and more than ever before, people turned to their favorite K-Dramas to uplift their spirits. Plenty of K-Pop idols joined in too, keeping fans up-to-date on their favorite shows. For this week’s Throwback Thursday, we take a look back at the drama OSTs that kept us going.
“To You” - HEN
With a drama as sentimental as Hi Bye, Mama!, the soundtrack was bound to be just as moving. Soloist HEN lent her vocals to the OST in the song “To You,” an emotionally-charged piano ballad. None of the characters in the drama have it simple, making it only too easy for the viewer to feel for them, but HEN’s “To You” adds that extra punch to the gut.
“Start Over” - Gaho
JTBC’s Itaewon Class swept the world last spring, with everyone from NCT 127’s Doyoung to SEVENTEEN’s Hoshi expressing their undying love for the drama (and Park Saeroyi’s signature haircut). Soloist Gaho rose to fame as well with his upbeat track “Start Over,” which even topped the Gaon Digital Chart.
“Sweet Night” - V
Gaho wasn’t the only one that broke records with his Itaewon Class OST; BTS’s V’s self-produced song “Sweet Night” (a literal translation of the Danbam pub in the show) topped charts left and right upon its release for the drama. V’s close friendship with Park Seojoon is no secret, and his contribution to the soundtrack felt like the perfect final touch to the show.
“Aloha” - Jo Jungsuk
Much like Gaho, Jo Jungsuk’s “Aloha” from tvN’s Hospital Playlist camped out at the top of the charts. In addition to acting in the show, Jungsuk even nabbed the No. 1 spot on the MelOn chart, which is no easy feat. “Aloha” is a remake of a song by Cool from 2001, and the older influence is more than evident, but the song resonates with audiences of all ages.
“I Just Want To Stay With You” - Zion.T
The King: Eternal Monarch marked Lee Minho’s return to K-Dramas following his enlistment and made for one of the most anticipated dramas of 2020. Paired with Kim Goeun in a love story that spans dimensions, it comes as no shock that the OST would be just as dramatic as the star-crossed lovers plot. In “I Just Want To Stay With You,” Zion.T’s soft, heartfelt vocals add that extra layer of sentimentality in a very appropriately named song.
“Here I Am Again” - Yerin Baek
Though Crash Landing on You premiered in late 2019, the groundbreaking drama finished up its run in February of 2020. With a star-studded lineup including the likes of K-Drama favorites IU, 10cm, and Crush, nearly all of the songs from the OST landed on the Gaon Digital Chart. Yerin Baek’s “Here I Am Again” is a particular standout, with its opening piano notes and Yerin’s angelic voice accompanying many of the show’s most heart-wrenching scenes. The track peaked at No. 4 on the Gaon Digital Chart and at No. 6 on the Billboard K-Pop Hot 100.